One of the determining factors when deciding to have a cat is usually that of the maintenance you will need to be a happy furry and healthy. Many people wonder how much to spend per month on vets, food and furniture, and they do not always get the answers they are looking for.
This time I'm going to tell you what do we spend on average per month to keep a cat, and so you can assess if you could take care of a furry (or several).
The cost depending on where you live
It is necessary to make it clear before continuing that it will cost you more or less money, depending on where you live since there are cities or towns that have higher prices than other places. In this sense, it is important that before having a pet, you must assess this fact, to find out if you can financially afford the expense of having a cat as a pet.
If you do not have the economic capacity to be able to afford this expense, then you better think twice about having a cat as a pet. A cat is a living being that if you have it in your family, it will need some care so that it can grow up healthy and happy. It will depend on you and your responsibility that you are able to serve him correctly.
Cats breakdown of owning a cat
Remember that it will depend on your economic capacity whether you can provide your cat with a healthy life ... When you go to buy an appliance for your home you may make comparisons, what values if you can really afford that appliance or if you better put that thought aside until the moment you can afford it.
With a cat as a pet it is the same, you should know if it really is an expense that you can assume. A cat is adorable and you may really want to have one in your family. But you have to be realistic and you must assess whether you can really have a cat as a pet, since it is a living being and if you decide to have it, it becomes your responsibility and behind to take care of it.
Be aware that having a cat as a pet will not only mean playing with it and having a good time, it will also mean that you will have to spend money on it ... And if this hurts or you do not like to think about it, then it is better not to have a cat as a pet (nor any other animal because they all involve an economic expense to be able to maintain it with a dignified and healthy life).
Food
Within the food market, prices can vary because there is a lot of offer between different brands, type of food, the cat for which it is intended, etc. Therefore, it is normal that you find differences between one product and another.. It is common for owners to look for cheap feed because overall, it is food for cats ... but do not be fooled. If it is too cheap it will be of poor quality, and it is not worth playing with the health of your feline. As in everything, the higher the price, the higher the quality, but it is worth it.
For a shiny coat and optimal health, it is recommended to buy feed with natural or holistic ingredients. They have a slightly higher cost than other types of feed, but in the long run the benefits outweigh this inconvenience. A 10kg bag can cost between 30 and 80 euros, depending on the brand. The cheapest 10kg bags of feed cost between 10 and 20 euros. So that you know how long a bag can last you, I can tell you that my three cats eat 10kg of feed in a month and a half.
Estimated prices for feeding your cat
- 2 kg sack of feed (good quality) between 20 and 25 euros. A cat usually eats between 50 and 80 grams a day, so the bag may last a little more than a month.
- Wet food: it opens and is spent or at most, keeping it in the fridge can last a little more than a couple of days: € 1.
- Snack. Cats like cat "treats" a lot, a pack of these cat snacks can cost you about two euros.
"Salud"
Many owners of cats who do not leave the house think that their cats do not need vaccines, or deworming, etc ... But the reality is that if your vaccinations and basic health care are not taken into account, you could get sick more often. If you want to save money on vaccines or other necessities, you will be playing with your health. Cats can also get sick being in houses without going out, just as it can happen to you.
In the same way, many owners prefer to neuter their cats and cats to avoid cat overpopulation and because in this way, the annoying heat stages of their feline friends are avoided.
Besides this, also you need to save a certain amount of money for a possible emergency with your cat, such as accidents or illnesses. Especially when the cat begins to be old, which is more likely to develop ailments of age.
Estimated prices
- Annual vaccinations: about 130 euros per year
- Deworming: about 25 euros a year.
- One pipette per month for the coat: about 120 euros per year (12 pipettes per year)
- Malt to avoid hairballs: € 10 the boat (two or three boats a year)
- Annual consultation: € 20 or € 25 per consultation
- General blood test: 70 euros per year
- Castration: about € 80 for males and about 230 for females.
- Microchip: 30-35 euro
- Puppy vaccinations (they put 4 or 5 during the first year): about 20 euros
- Rabies vaccine (once a year): 30 euros
Toys and accessories
It is common for cat owners to spend money on toys and accessories so that the little feline can have fun in his new family. Actually, they are accessories or toys that are not totally indispensable in the life of a cat (instead the aforementioned atrium is indispensable). Their survival does not depend on this but on their comfort, then each person will have to assess whether it is an idea or not to buy these items that we will talk about below.
Although your cat may sleep at your foot of the bed or on the sofa, ideally you should provide her own bed. Although it can sharpen its nails on a wooden log, it will be better for its paws if you provide it with a scratching post designed for cats. They are products that you will have to renew from time to time.
Estimated prices
- Harness with strap if you want to walk down the street: about 15 euros
- Carrier: about 30 euros
- Drinker and feeder: between 5 and 30 euros
- Scrapers: from 15 euros the smallest, but the large ones can cost up to 200 euros.
- Beds: between 15 and 40 euros, depending on the size and material
- Toys: between 1 and 50 euros.
- Shampoo: between 3 and 8 euros.
- Brush: about 5 euros.
- Sandbox: between 5 and 15 euros.
- Sand to relieve himself: between 5 and 30 euros (the largest bags)
- Closed sandpit: between 30 and 40 euros.
Living with one of these furry It is a decision that must be considered and discussed with the family, also addressing the issue of maintenance.
I haven't even been able to finish reading. I am seeing very rising prices, in practically everything. Of course, if I had to guide myself through this to catch a cat, it would take away my desire for not being a millionaire. Malt is not necessary for hairballs, said 202919 veterinarians, a feed with a fiber quantity greater than 2,5 g is better. Castration in females € 230? !! I understand that it depends on the place but it is that the bigger the city, the easier it is to find sterilization campaigns or associations where if you adopt the cat they help you with these issues. The vaccines, they do not get so many. The prices of scrapers, transportation, all on the rise.
If you really want to have a cat, don't be guided by this article. The only thing I agree on is the importance of taking into account spending on a good meal and veterinary care. Everything else is superfluous. There are tutorials for toys on YouTube. My cat plays with a string. Because your cat carries a € 9 transport and shits in a litter box that you have made for him, you do not have it unattended. The most important thing is that you cover the essentials (good food and good veterinary care) and that you give them a lot of love.
Hello Pilar.
They are estimated prices. Anyway, as you say, there are things that are not going to be needed, and others that are only paid once (microchip, castration, ...).
The castration thing, I was charged only 70 euros for castrating a cat, but a friend who lives in a city was charged more than double.
Regards!